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George Mason
University Researchers Partner to Discover Novel Biomarkers
for Exposure to Infectious Diseases
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Manassas, VA -- Researchers at George Mason University's
National Center for Biodefense and Infectious Diseases and its
Center for Applied Proteomics and Molecular Medicine are
merging their expertise in host-pathogen biology, proteomics
and nanotechnology to discover tissue and bloodborne markers
that could be used for the early detection of exposure to
infectious diseases. |
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Funded
by the U.S. Department of Energy, these efforts may help save
the lives of civilians and military forces exposed to
biological weapons or other emerging infectious diseases, such
as influenza and SARS.
'This collaboration illustrates how proteomic technologies
combined with unique nanotechnology methodology can be used to
better understand, diagnose and treat infectious diseases,'
says Charles Bailey, NCBID executive director.
A major goal of the program, which initially focuses on
anthrax and tularemia, is to discover protein biomarkers that
could be used to identify the onset of an infectious disease
before a patient exhibits symptoms, explains Bailey. 'A
pre-symptomatic diagnosis of these often fatal diseases
enables physicians to begin immediate lifesaving treatment for
the patient. The earlier, the better.'
Using cutting-edge proteomic technologies and
nanotechnology-based devices invented by CAPMM scientists, the
research will concentrate on the discovery, collection and
analysis of potential infectious diseases biomarkers found in
the blood. Comparing the differences between pre- and
post-symptomatic biomarkers may result in early detection of
biological agent exposure and disease onset, and immediate
monitoring of patient response to medical intervention.
'We have developed new classes of biomarker discovery
technologies that combine high resolution mass spectrometry
and nanoparticles,' says Lance Liotta, CAPMM co-director. 'The
investment that the university made in personnel and equipment
to establish our two centers is paying dividends, and now we
can leverage this investment to find specific bloodborne
markers of early infection by some very nasty bugs.'
Findings also may help determine if military personnel have
been successfully immunized against infectious diseases before
they enter an area that poses the threat of exposure to
biological agents, and aid in drug discovery for certain
geographic strains of diseases that are drug resistant.
'As a microbiologist by training, I'm very excited to bring
the one-of-a-kind proteomic technologies and nanotechnologies
we have developed for biomarker discovery for cancer and other
diseases to infectious diseases applications,' says CAPMM
co-director Emanuel Petricoin III. 'The ability to synergize
the expertise of these two centers is a great opportunity and
illustrates the powerhouse research that is going on now at
Mason.'
This research also impacts Mason's long-range plans to be a
major player in biodefense and infectious diseases research,
Bailey adds. 'Once our Biomedical Research Laboratory opens in
late 2009, we'll have the highly specialized facility and
equipment needed for next-level research utilizing animal
studies,' he says. 'Preliminary data obtained from our current
work may lead to additional funding opportunities or
collaborative work with other laboratories.'
Patricia M. Snellings Director of Communications College of
Science George Mason University Phone: (703) 993-8783 |
